Program Manager

By Light Professional IT Services LLC • Hanover, MD

51d • $220,000 - $270,000 • Onsite

About The Position

Cole Engineering Services, Inc. (CESI) is seeking a senior, mission-driven Program Manager to serve as the single accountable authority for a high-visibility Department of Defense cyber training and operations program supporting national-level cyber readiness. This is an executive-level leadership role, not a delivery-only position, with full ownership of program performance, financial execution, workforce leadership, and customer trust across a complex, classified cyber environment.
The Program Manager will lead end-to-end execution—cost, schedule, performance, staffing, and long-term growth—while acting as the primary interface to senior Government stakeholders and CESI executive leadership. Success in this role is defined by exceptional contract performance, trusted-advisor status with the customer, disciplined financial stewardship, a stable and high-performing cleared workforce, and the identification of follow-on or growth opportunities that position CESI as a mission partner, not just a contractor.
This role requires a proven leader who operates comfortably with autonomy, authority, and accountability in a mission-critical, TS/SCI (CI poly) environment, and who brings the credibility to influence outcomes at the strategic, operational, and executive levels.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, Computer Science, Business, Finance, or related discipline. 6+ years of relevant experience can be substituted for degree
• 15+ years of experience of Department of Defense leadership experience.
• Minimum 5 years managing complex federal programs
• Proven experience leading large, complex DoD programs with multiple workstreams and distributed teams
• Demonstrated success managing cost, schedule, performance, and risk across the full acquisition lifecycle
• Experience leading cleared cyber, IT, training, intelligence, or mission systems programs
• Strong understanding of Federal acquisition processes (FAR/DFARS, CDRLs, DIDs, LOE/BOE development)
• History of effective leadership across technical, operational, and support personnel
• Ability to operate independently with minimal oversight while maintaining executive alignment
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills with senior Government and corporate leaders
• Please note that pursuant to a government contract, this specific position requires U. S. Citizenship status and minimum of a TS/SCI (CI Poly preferred) security clearance. Security Clearance requirements will be specified in the Government's Task Order.

Nice To Haves

• PMP or equivalent certification strongly preferred

Responsibilities

• Serve as the single accountable authority for overall contract execution, including cost, schedule, performance, and compliance
• Act as the senior interface to Government leadership, maintaining trusted, proactive customer relationships
• Lead, mentor, and manage a high-performing cleared workforce across technical, operational, and support roles
• Develop and execute program schedules, staffing plans, and risk mitigation strategies
• Own program financial performance, including budget execution, forecasting, and margin stewardshipPrepare and deliver executive-level briefings, reports, and written products to Government and corporate leadership
• Oversee development, testing, documentation, deployment, and sustainment of complex cyber and IT training systems and services
• Ensure contractual deliverables meet or exceed quality, timeliness, and performance standards
• Coordinate closely with contracts, finance, subcontracts, project controls, and technical leadership teams
• Support corporate growth through proposal development, LOE/BOE creation, recompetes, and contract modifications
• Identify and execute opportunities for program improvement, efficiency, and long-term mission success

Benefits

• Medical, Dental & Vision Coverage
• Wellness Program
• 401(k) Matching
• Disability (Short Term & Long Term)
• Employee Assistance Program
• Life Insurance
• Education & Training
• Generous Leave Policy (11 Federal Holidays, PTO, Military Leave, Bereavement and Jury Duty)

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Executive
• Number of Employees: 1,001-5,000 employees